CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Rider University volleyball team fell in straight sets to North Carolina A&T to close out competition at the Cavalier Classic. The Aggies won the match 25-21, 25-28, 25-21. The Broncs fall to 0-2 on the season, while the Aggies even their record at 1-1.
 
Leading 5-4 in set one, Paige Giehtbrock (Clarkston, MI/Clarkston) had back-to-back kills to start a 4-0 run that extended the lead to five. With Rider leading 15-12, the Aggies scored five-straight points to take the lead. The Broncs would fight back to tie the set at 17, 19, 20, and 21. Tied 21-21, North Carolina A&T used a pair of blocks to go on a 4-0 run to close out the set.
 
The second set began much like the first with Rider using a 5-0 run, including a pair of aces by Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) to build a 6-3 lead. The Aggies responded and the set would feature eight ties. With Rider up 17-16, North Carolina A&T went on a 9-1 run including the final tie of the set at 17-17, to take the two sets to none lead.
 
After falling behind 11-8 in set three, Rider went on a 5-1 run, with two kills by Giehtbrock to go up 13-12. Leading 20-19 it was another late run by the Aggies that closed out the set and the match.

QUOTES & NOTES
"Somewhat disappointing performance today early on. Our blocking was non existent, and our attack took too long to get on track. It was a short turnaround, but we need to regroup and re-energize better, staff included."
 
"There were some strong performances from some younger players, with Keegan playing really well all weekend. Makenna got her first chance to run the offense, but I thought our pins could have helped her more with better attacking decisions. Paige played great and Rylah came in for her first action and provided a spark. Overall, lots of work left to do." – Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
- Today's match was just the second between the Broncs and Aggies with the Aggies evening the all-time series at 1-1.
- Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) made her Rider debut at setter, finishing with 15 assists.
- O'Connor led the Broncs with 12 digs, her first double-digit dig match of the season. She was named to the Cavalier Classic All-Tournament team.
- In addition to Mason, Rylah Robinson (Fairfax, VA/Robinson), Mia Mattingly (Mokena, IL/Lincoln-Way Central), and Carly Zimmet (Purcellville, VA/Loudoun Valley) all saw their first action in a Rider uniform Saturday.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .128 in the match, to North Carolina A&T's .307.
- The Aggies had 44 kills to 26 for the Broncs.
- North Carolina A&T had an 8-2 advantage in blocks.
- The Aggies had eight aces to six for Rider.
- In addition to O'Connor's 12, Molly Strah (Akron, OH/Archbishop Hoban) had seven digs, and Mason added six.
- Giehtbrock had eight kills to pace Rider. Robinson and Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) each had six.
- O'Connor finished the match with four aces.

UP NEXT
Rider heads to the Towson Tournament, beginning with a match Friday against Fairleigh Dickinson Friday at 3 p.m.